Guard for tomato lugs and similar containers



July 24, 1934. J. w. TREW GUARD FIORIOMATO LUGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERSOriginal Filed Nov. 1933 Patented July 24, 1934 GUARD FOR TOMATO LUGSAND SIMILAR CONTAINERS James W. Trew, Gettysburg, Pa, assignor to Rice,Trew & Rice 00. Inc., Biglerville, Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaOriginal application November 7, 1933, Serial No. 697,077. Divided andthis application April 19, 1934, Serial No. 721,397

6 Claims.

This is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing; a division of my pending application Serial No. 697,077, filedNovember 7, 1933:

This invention relates to guards for tomato lugs and similar containers,and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kindwhich when applied has a portion substantially closing the space betweena side wall of the lug and the applied lid whereby the upper or facinglayer of the tomatoes or the like is effectively protected and whereinthe guard is provided with means for direct coaction with the content ofthe lug or container to facilitate the maintenance of the guard inapplied or working position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved guardfor a tomato lug or similar container whereby certain importantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensiveand otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will behereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein:-

Figure l is a fragmentary view partly in transverse section and partlyin elevation showing a guard constructed in accordance with anembodiment of my invention in applied position;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the guard as comprised in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a guard constructed in accordancewith another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 a view in perspective of a still further embodiment of theinvention.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, the guard comprises aninitially flat elongated band B, the outer or upper edge a of whichbeing disposed on an arc to closely approach the general curvature of alid or cover applied to the lug L. This lug L is of a conventional typeemployed in the packing of tomatoes and kindred articles and whereineach end wall 1 is secured along its upper edge a cleat 2 which extendsa slight distance inwardly of the lug whereby is provided an underlyingshoulder 3.

The band B at its extremities is provided with the flaps 4. Each ofthese flaps 4 is positioned intermediate the ends of the adjacent edgeof the band B and is adapted to engage under a shoulder 3 of the lug Lwhen the band B is in applied or working position. As the band B isapplied each of the flaps 4 will be flexed inwardly of the lug.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 2, the band B has its inner orlower edge b substantially straight from end to end and in parallelismwith the longitudinal axis of the band.

A desired distance between said straight edge 27 and the flaps l theband B is provided therealong with a score line 5 substantially inparallelism with the straight edge b. The portion of the band Boutwardly of the score line 5 is adapted to be folded along such line toprovide a laterally directed flange or ledge 6 as particularlyillustrated in Figure 1, and when the band B is in applied or workingposition within the lug or kindred container the upper layer of tomatoesor other articles contacts from above with this flange or ledge 6whereby the contents of the lug or kindred container coact with theapplied guard to provide a means for holding the the band B in desiredplacement.

In the invention as illustrated in Figure 3, the band B along its inneror lower marginal portion is provided with a series of longitudinallyspaced slits '7 extending inwardly and transversely of the band B for adesired distance. The portions of the band B between certain of theslits 7 are adapted to be folded into a position laterally of the band Bwhereby a series of flanges or ledges 8 are provided for coaction withthe contents of the lug or kindred container as just explained withreference to the flange or ledge 6 of the band B. Initially theseflanges or ledges 8 are coplanar with the band B proper and each of theportions of the band which is folded outwardly to provide a flange orledge 8 is further defined by a longitudinal score line 9 along whichthe flange or ledge 8 is bent.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 4, theflanges or ledges 10 are cut out within the field of the band B so thatwhen the flanges or ledges 10 are extended into working position theresultant openings 11 are entirely enclosed. These flanges or ledges 10are also initially coplanar with the band B and when extended intoworking position each of these flanges or ledges 10 is bent on asuitably positioned score line 12.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a guardfor a tomato lug or similar container constructed in accordance with myinvention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of theconvenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated,and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of somechange and modification without departing from the principles and spiritthereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood, as li rnitingmyselfto the precise arrangement and formation of the several partsherein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except ashereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A fruit guard comprisinga band adapted to be arranged along the upperinner end of a side wall of a container to extendabove said side wall tobridge the space betwg lthe upper edgelof said side wall and an appliedlid, and means on the band between the endsthereoi and extendinglaterally from the band for cpntactw th the content of the container toholdthe band in applied position.

2. A fruit guard comprising a band adapted to be a1 ran ged along theupper inner end of a side wair'or a container to extend abovel'said sidewalltobridge the spacebetween'the upper edg'e'oi" said side wall and anapplied lid, and means on the band between the ends thereof andextending m 'rany'rro'm "the band for contact with the contentof thecontainer to hold the band in applied position, said means beingadjacent to the lower or' inserted marginal portion h fi ..v ,7 v

' 3. Af'r'uit guard comprising a band adapted to be ar'rangfedalong'the'upper inner end of a Sidewall'of a'container to extend above saidside wall to-bridgejthe space between the upper edge 'or said sid'iwalland-an applied'lid, and means side Wall of a container to extend abovesaid sidewall to bridge the space between the upper edgej of said' sidew'all and an applied lid, and a laterally disposed part carried by thelower portion of the bandinter mediate its ends to extend linwardlyzpfthecpntainer to engage the content roof thecontainer.

1 A iruit guard comprising a band adapted to be arrange'd alongjtheupper inner end of a side rwajll .of aflcont er to extend above saidside wall to bridge "the space between the upper edge ofsa'id'side walland an applied lid, and a flange carried by the lower portion of theband and. .extending"substantially from one enid thereof to container'to engage the content of the container.

6. A fruit guard comprising a band adapted to bearr'anged alongtheupperend of; a side wall ofa container to extend above saidlside wall tobridge the space between; the, iipperedge of said side 'wall and anapplie'dlidiiand' a pl urality of flanges on the lower portion of theband and 1 spaced apart'longitudinally thereoisaid flanges extendinginwardly of'th'e container to engage the content ofthe container;

JAM S TRE

